A STORY ABOUT:
The Power of Music and an Extraordinary Act of Philanthropy
Marisa Lederer passed away in December of
2008, but the effects of her philanthropy are just beginning to be felt in our
community. In October, the
Brattleboro Music Center (BMC) received a very generous gift from the Marisa
Lederer Trust. This gift, totaling
over $76,000, was one of several to beneficiaries of the trust.
Marisa Fazzini Lederer, born in Florence, Italy in 1920,
married Felix Lederer in 1948. Following World War II, Felix and Marisa
immigrated to southern Vermont, making their home in Putney in 1949, where they
remained for the rest of their lives. Marisa and Felix, the son of a famous
German conductor, were lifelong music lovers and enthusiastic supporters of the
Brattleboro Music Center.
During Marisa Lederer's stay at the Thompson House Nursing
Home in her later years, Sandy Ware, the Activities Coordinator, arranged for
Margery McCrum and Larry Crockett to present an afternoon of singing. “I remember
Marisa sitting in her chair somewhat removed from the goings on. I had
recognized her from my days at BMH where she was a faithful Auxilian in her
pink jacket working in the coffee shop,” remembers BMC Trustee and Faculty
member Margery McCrum. “When Larry
and I began to sing 'La ci darem la mano', a duet from Mozart's opera "Don
Giovanni", Marisa's face was transformed into a most radiant smile and she
began quietly mouthing the words in Italian along with us.”
At the time, Sandy remarked on how moving it was to see
Marisa so utterly enthralled by the moment. Following the performance, Marisa
held Margery and Larry’s hands and thanked them; saying, with a twinkle in her
eye, that she had sung the duet once and it was her favorite.
“I was struck then, as I am daily, by the transformative
power of music to touch one to the very depths of one's being - both the
listener and the performer,” said McCrum. “Music is a language of
love that needs no explanation. How grateful we are for Marisa's wonderful gift.
I am glad to have had, in a small way, a chance to share with her something she
obviously loved so dearly.”
The Brattleboro Music Center enriches the lives of thousands
of children and adults in our community each year, and has been at the center
of music in southern Vermont since 1952.
The Lederer’s gift will help to support the BMC and its many
programs, including the Music School, Music in the Schools (a collaboration
with Windham County public schools), the Brattleboro Concert Choir, Blanche
Moyse Chorale, Windham Orchestra, Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival,
Chamber Music Concert Series, Summer Music Programs, and the Student
Scholarship Fund.
The BMC awards scholarships to students of all abilities
from ages 2 through 82 in the hopes that music can be made accessible to all
who seek it. Music School scholarships are made possible through the generous
support of individuals, foundations and businesses in our community.
“Ms. Lederer’s
gift is an extraordinary act of compassion and we are extremely grateful,” said
Pam Lierle, Communications and Development Director at the BMC. “These are
challenging times, and it is even more important than ever, for those who can,
to give. Every gift matters, from
the largest to the smallest, and each person who gives makes a difference in
the lives of others. Ms. Lederer’s generosity is an invaluable inspiration to
all of us.”
Enrichment Made Possible
Music-loving members of our community make the BMC’s programs possible. Individuals, businesses and foundations from our community provide nearly 26% of the BMC’s annual budget. We are very grateful to each and every one of our supporters. Thank you.
Participation is the Key
For more information about the BMC’s programs or how you can get involved please call us at 802-257-4523.
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